In Their Words: Maxwell Howard

Name: Maxwell Howard

Department: Anthropology

College: Kresge

What Award/ Scholarship did you receive? Jeremy Demian Marx Award for Cultural Anthropology

What year do you expect to graduate? 2019

Where do you call home? The San Fernando Valley (Los Angeles, CA)

With all of the choices for college, what made UC Santa Cruz stand out? Professors and curriculum at UC Santa Cruz approach the space of academia as one in flux. This educational viewpoint challenges institutional boundaries and aims to make space for nuanced areas of student interest. All of this happens between beautiful smiles and dense forests, making a day of learning a day of compassion.

What is your field of focus? Cultural Anthropology

What do you hope to do once you graduate from UC Santa Cruz? I hope to participate in a PhD program in Cultural Anthropology and integrate community activism with my studies.

What is one memorable moment that stands out for you as a student here? I will always remember the first time I saw a professor look to a student straight in the eyes and listen to their voice as if there was nothing more important than a moment of dialogue.

What is your one piece of advice for incoming students about life at UC Santa Cruz? There is a space for you here to explore your desires, ambitions, and questions. If you can’t find one, you have the power to create your own.

How will this scholarship/award impact your academic life/research? It has given me an immense confidence in my writing and analytical attunement, driving me to reach for future projects and expand the possibilities of anthropological work.